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Explorers discover world's deepest underwater cave


Leeanna McLean
Digital Reporter

Friday, September 30, 2016, 7:26 PM - In deep waters near the eastern Czech Republic town of Hranice lies the world's deepest underwater cave.

Dubbed Hranická Propast, the cave reaches a depth of 404 metres, which is about 12 metres deeper than the previous record holder, Italy's Pozzo del Merro.


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Since 1999, Polish diver Krzysztof Starnawski has been exploring the limestone abyss. However, the record-breaking depth was finally determined on Tuesday. The cave was measured with the assistance of a remotely operated underwater robot (ROV), as depths past 400 metres are beyond the limits of scuba diving, Associated Press reports.

The explorer told the news agency Friday he felt like a "Columbus of the 21st century."

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While Starnawski originally thought he reached the bottom of the underwater cave at 200 metres deep during a dive in 2014, he found a narrow slot that eventually led him to a depth of 265 metres in 2015. Starnawski soon realized the cave was much deeper than previously anticipated.

To further examine the cavity, Starnawski led a Czech-Polish expedition supported by a grant from the National Geographic, who first reported the discovery.


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"Diving in the cave is challenging because of muddy areas and cold water of some 7oC, as well as a mineral composition that damages the equipment and hurts any exposed skin," Starnawski told Associated Press. "But that is the only price to be paid for this discovery and it was worth paying."

The team found fallen trees, logs and branches at the bottom of the cave, which indicates it could have changed shape over time. The group has plans to carry on with their research and further explore the abyss.

SOURCE: Live Science | Associated Press

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